Date: Wed, 15 Feb 1995 23:02:38 -0500 From: David B. O'Donnell To: Multiple recipients of list GLB-NEWS Subject: CBC forced to pay spousal benefits! [ Send all responses to danwon@ACCESS.MBNET.MB.CA only. Any responses to the list or list-owners will be returned to you. ] An arbitrator has ruled in favor of a gay man who was demanding spousal benefits for his partner of eight years. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, (CBC), with a precedent being set, must now grant spousal benefits to all of it's gay employees. Dennis Martin Chabot, a reporter for SRC Radio in Alberta, (French CBC Radio), filed a grievance back in November 1993 after the Corporation refused his earlier request to grant his lover insurance coverage. He made a grievance on the basis that sexual orientation was included in the non-discrimination clause of his barganning unit's contract with the Corporation. This clause of non-discrimination is also found in the technical staff's contract with the Corporation. The hearings were held in December of 1994 and the ruling was handed down in early February of 1995. CBC can not appeal this ruling. However the Corporation does have the option to request a judicial review. Although this move is unlikely. A couple other employees had filed grievances on this matter before Mr. Chabot, but they backed downed due to the publicity such a ruling would attract. commentary: The CBC is not the first Crown Corporation to give spousal benefits to gays. "Canada Post" , "Petro Canada", and I believe "the Federal Government" already extend spousal benefits to their gay employees. One would think however that the CBC, a well respected broadcaster throughout the world, and a broadcaster who fairly portrays all aspects of Canadian life, including homosexuality, would have been the FIRST! Dennis Martin Chabot is not currently on the Internet. If you have comments or fan mail for him, please send to me and I will forward them. Cheers! Dan. "FOLLOW YOUR BLISS" joseph campbell